GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

US - The return assumption for the New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF) has been lowered by half a percentage point to 7.5% leading to higher contribution rates for state employers.

Hewitt Associates has completed its previously announced acquisition of US consulting firm Ennis Knupp.

US - Hewitt Associates has completed its previously announced acquisition of US consulting firm Ennis Knupp.

US - Pension plans of S&P1500 companies are shouldering deficits of a combined $506bn, the largest recorded deficit in their history, according to data by Mercer.

JAPAN - Japanese pension funds are starting to invest in toll roads, ports and pipelines for the first time, seeking higher returns to meet the retirement needs of the world's fastest-aging population.

US - David Cooper has been named chief investment officer of Indiana's two largest pension plans, a further step in merging the operations of two schemes with $22bn in combined assets.

US - California lawmakers approved two bills to prevent government employees from increasing the amount of their pensions by padding their pay before retirement.

UK/GLOBAL - J.P. Morgan Asset Management has hired Mike O'Brien, BlackRock's former head of institutional business for EMEA, as its global head of the institutional client group.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has hired Mike O'Brien, former head of institutional for EMEA at BlackRock, as global head of its institutional client group.